Top Issue 1-2024

18 May 2011

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Gerry Adams hits back at Taoiseach’s jibes over not attending queen’s events

Sinn Féin TDs Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald at the James Connolly memorial at Liberty Hall

GERRY ADAMS has told Enda Kenny in the Dáil that the Taoiseach should respect the democratic right of Sinn Féin members and other republicans not to attend events for Queen Elizabeth’s state visit.

The Sinn Féin leader interjected during a debate on the sell-off of state assets after the Taoiseach made a number of asides about him not going to events for the British queen.

Gerry Adams retorted:

The Taoiseach has mentioned twice my non-attendance at events involving the Queen of England.

While I respect his right to attend, and the President’s right to invite the Queen of England, let me make it clear that I also have the right not to attend.

While I represent a constituency from this state, I am from the North. Mayo is no longer under the control of the English crown. Where I come from, is – even in a conditional way under the dispensation that we have carved out.

The Taoiseach needs to remember that there are people in the North who are watching every single comma, every single dot, in the parlance.

News website thejournal.ie reports that the Sinn Féin leader said he hoped that good would come of the queen’s visit but appealed to Enda Kenny to “respect my right as a democratic republican” not to attend such events.

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